The problem could be addressed through conservation agriculture which has proven to be one of the best options. It involves the simultaneous application of and adherence to three fundamental principles, namely:
1. Minimum Tillage with no soil inversion.
2. Maximum Soil Cover by the cover crops or crop residues.
3. Multi-cropping (ideally crop rotation).
The simultaneous utilization of conservattion Agriculture’s three principles ensures that:
i. Soil porosity, health and nutrient cycling is improved (the biological ploughing effect).
ii. Soil moisture capture, content and availability is improved.
iii. Weed populations and hence competition and herbicides dependence is reduced.
iv Yields become less weather-dependent.
v. Cost of production, both per unit area but especially per ton produced is reduced.
vi. Profits and environmental and economic sustainability are markly improved.
Comments